With a look ahead to Dry January You may have guessed by now, but my motto is "Moderation in all things—including moderation." We’re almost there, folks. All of the November and December excuses for excess, except New Year’s Eve, are behind us. Here comes 2024, ready or not, and after the Day of Endless Bowl … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Two “session” cocktails and tips for New Year’s Eve
Fino sherry
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Here comes cocktail Santa Claus
There are dozens and dozens of holiday-themed and holiday-appropriate cocktails one can make to please and amaze family and friends at this time of year. I’ll begin with my very favorite, which I originally posted on this blog a year ago, and then move on to a few others. And my very favorite holiday cocktail … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Here comes cocktail Santa Claus
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Peat’s Dragon
It’s December again. Well, not quite—but there was snow in the air and on the ground in Western New York early this week, so I call the horseshoes rule: It’s close enough. But you didn’t click over here for a weather report; either you’re here and know this already, or you aren’t and you don’t … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: Peat’s Dragon
Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: the Surf and Turf Cocktail
I see no steak. I see no lobster. So what’s with this cocktail's name? It was created only recently by Simon Difford (of Difford's Guide fame), but it's a riff on a drink that's at least 125 years old - the Turf Club Cocktail, which was named after one of the saloons that first merchandised … Continue reading Cooks’ World/Pinnacle Liquor Cocktail of the Week: the Surf and Turf Cocktail
With no apologies to Lewis Carroll, do not beware this Jabberwock
'Twas brillig, and the sippy toves ... No? That's wrong? Okay, how about ... "Beware the Jabberwock, my son!The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!” Could Lewis Carroll—a clergyman, noted poet, and author of children’s classics including Alice in Wonderland—have been sermonizing about gin in his classic poem? He is too long gone to … Continue reading With no apologies to Lewis Carroll, do not beware this Jabberwock
Damn It Jimmy
I'm kind of obsessed these days with cocktails that include sake. Sake is a complex and fascinating beverage; it’s not wine (no, it’s not “rice wine”), it’s not distilled booze, and while it’s brewed, it’s not beer either. It's … sake. Click on this link for a terrific illustration of how sake is made and … Continue reading Damn It Jimmy
The Irish Blonde
Enough with the Irish coffees and car bombs; there are a lot of delicious, less traditional ways to enjoy your Irish whiskey. This cocktail was created by Dale DeGroff, a noted American bartender—most famously the chief bartender at New York City’s Rainbow Room from 1987-1999—and author of two best-selling cocktail books: The Essential Cocktail and … Continue reading The Irish Blonde
The Libation Lounge 